A meta-analysis of 16 studies including more than 800,000 participants has confirmed what your grandmother probably told you: you’d better eat your vegetables.
The Harvard researchers found that people who ate just one serving of produce daily were 5 percent less likely to die during the studies than those who did not eat fruits or vegetables at all. Each additional serving lowered the risk of death by another 5 percent, up to the recommended intake of five servings a day.
The risk of heart disease also declined as people ate more produce. International studies reinforce these conclusions. Eating more than five servings a day of vegetables and fruits did not seem to confer additional advantages, but it also does not have any significant downside.
A different study found that most people around the world are falling short on those five servings. Many would have to double their intake of fruits and vegetables to get the vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that are so important for good health.
[British Journal of Nutrition, Sept. 2014]
At this time of year, farm stands, farmers’ markets and even the produce aisle at the grocery store have lovely fresh vegetables and fruit. If you wonder what to do with it in your kitchen to make it taste good, you may be interested in our book, Recipes & Remedies From The People’s Pharmacy.
